Increasing interest in vascular pseudo-ossification has alarmed the modern atherosclerotic
society. High phosphate is one of the key factors in vascular pseudo ossification, also known as vascular
calcification. The active process of deposition of the phosphate crystals in vascular tissues results
in arterial stiffness. High phosphate condition is mainly observed in chronic kidney disease patients.
However, prolonged exposure with high phosphate enriched foods such as canned drinks, dietary
foods, etc. can be considered as modifiable risk factors for vascular complication in a population regardless
of chronic kidney disease. High intake of vitamin K regulates the vascular calcification by
exerting its anti-calcification effect. The changes in serum phosphate and vitamin K levels in a normal
individual with high phosphate intake are not well investigated. This review summarised the underlying
mechanisms of high phosphate induced vascular pseudo ossification such as vascular transdifferentiation,
vascular apoptosis and phosphate uptake by sodium-dependent co-transporters. Pubmed,
Science Direct, Scopus, ISI Web of Knowledge and Google Scholar were searched using the terms
‘vitamin K’, ‘vascular calcification, ‘phosphate’, ‘transdifferentiation’ and ‘vascular pseudoossification’.
Vitamin K certainly activates the matrix GIA protein and inhibits vascular transition and
apoptosis in vascular pseudo-ossification. The present view highlighted the possible therapeutic linkage
between vitamin K and the disease. Understanding the role of vitamin K will be considered as potent
prophylaxis agent against the vascular disease in near future.
A molecular target of vascular calcification in chronic kidney disease
